Brush construction



June 5, 1956 R. o. PETERSON 2,748,412

BRUSH CONSTRUCTION Filed April 14, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 UBEN 0. PETERSON IIII June 5, 1956 R. o. PETERSON 2,748,412

BRUSH CONSTRUCTION Filed April 14, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ulmumummmmwwg.. Mum;

bwl-wry@ BRUSH CONSTRUCTION Ruben 0. Peterson, University Heights, Ohio, assigner to The Usborn Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application April 14, 1950, Serial No. 155,803

Claims. (Cl. 15-129) This invention relates, as indicated, to brushes and more particularly to a novel form of brush especially adapted for use as a door brush or sweep.

The broom and the push brush are undoubtedly among the oldest types of brushes known, having been developed long before written history. It is interesting to note that these standard forms of brushes have not altered greatly with the years and would be readily recognized by our ancestors; this despite the fact that they are by no means as eicient in construction and operation as might be desired. It is a primary object of this invention to approach the problem from a new direction and to provide a novel brushing tool which not only avoids the deficiencies of those previously known but is also capable of use in new ways.

The typical iioor brush comprises a block of wood into which tufts of bristles have been inserted as by stapling and to which a long handle may be secured. Such brushes have been clumsy to use, not only being relatively heavy but also being so shaped that they cannot be inserted into narrow spaces. Light brushes of the twisted Wire stem type, for example, commonly employed as dusters for cleaning Venetian blinds and the like do not have a sufcient density of brush material to afford the snap action required of a sweep. The conventional broom is merely a bundle of broom-straw or the like which may, however, be relatively dense and therefore afford such desired snap action.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a brushing tool of a form capable of insertion into narrow spaces but which will nevertheless have sutlicient density of ll to afford the requisite snap action in use.

Another object is to provide a brush equally suitable for a wide variety of uses including the cleaning of floors and walls, windows, screens, and the like and which is readily adjustable to adapt it to the particular work at hand.

Another object is to provide a fountain brush to which fluid may be supplied through a handle pivotally secured thereto.

Still another object is to provide a brush having an elongated brush head, the construction of which ensures adequate density of brush material adjacent the respective ends thereof. y

A further object is to provide a brushing tool having an adjustable head which will be automatically retained in adjusted position in use.

Other objects of my invention will appear a description proceeds.

To the accomplishmentof the foregoing and related ends, said invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various Ways in which'the principle of the invention Vmay be employed.,

the

States Patent In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view taken through the brush head and handle of a fountain brush constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken along the line 21--21 on Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view of one of the clamping members employed in the Fig. 1 embodiment;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken along the line 23-23 on Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a clip-type retainer employed to retain the end tufts of brush material in the brush head;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 6 6 on Fig. 7 showing such retainer assembled with such brush head;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view longitudinally of an end portion of such brush head showing such retainer assembled therein.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of a brush head showing an additional dimple or indentation assisting in holding the end tuft retaining clipl in place, and also wick means within the brush head;

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view similar to Fig. 7 showing such end tuft retaining clip locked in place;

Fig. l0 shows a modified form of clamping member mounted on the end of a tubular handle;

Fig. 11 shows one of a pair of such cooperating ciamping members positioned on such handle, the latter in section; and

Fig. 12 is a side view of one of such clamp-ing members.

Referring now more particularly to such drawings, the forms there illustrated will first be described, from which description certain of the more important features of my invention will be apparent. The brush shown in Fig. l comprises an elongated handle member, secured to a relatively long and narrow channelform brush back 2, preferably of metal. Such metal back will ordinarily be stamped or drawn from sheet material. Atleast one, and ordinarily a pair, of substantially straight lengths of brush strip 3 and 4 are retained in such brush back with the brush material 5 extending substantially at right angles therefrom. Such strip is desirably formed in the manner taught in my prior Patent No. 2,303,386 whereby the brush material 5 is doubled about a retaining member such as lwire 6 and such wire and brush material held firmly in place by teeth 7 punched in from the sides of the sheet metal channelform back 4 of the strip. When cut into lengths and the ends of the strip pinched together there is thus no diiculty encountered with shedding of brush material adjacent such ends. These lengths of strip may be held in place in the brush back 2 either by slightly pinchingtogetherrthe lips of the latter or by providing dimples such as 8 (see Fig. 7) which engage the outer edges of the brush strips when they are pressed therein.

One of the principal advantages of sweeps formed in accordance with my invention is the fact that a dense layer of brush material is thereby provided having considerable snap in use. The sweep will push dirt before it rather than merely pick up and drag along a portion of the dirt on the floor as is the case with the ordinary push brush, When it is desired to have an increased degree of side slant this may readily be obtained by inserting an elongated spacer element between the layers of brush material of the respective brush strips. Such spacer or spreader element may be in the form of a trough-shaped stamping 34 (Figs. 6 and 7), for example. Fig. 6 illustrates one mode of holding the spacer in proper position as more particularly described below. Obviously, the degree of side slant may be varied by employment of appropriately dimensioned spacer elements, it being noted that the respective layers of brush material are still so associated as to give mutual support of the component filaments and thereby enhance Whatever natural snap action is inherent in the brush material. Furthermore, such spacer' may be added to or taken away from the finished brush as required.

End slant is also a desirable feature which may be obtained by turning up the end portions of brush back E or by another method explained below in connection with Figs. 5-7. End slant and side slant of the brush material facilitate sweeping in corners, and along baseboards, moldings, and the like.

Referring to Figs. l-7 of the drawing, the brushing tool illustrated provides either for the supplying of a fluid to the brush or the application of suction thereto. In this case the channelform brush back 2 is made somewhat deep, and the two adjacent brush strips 3 and 4 therein are .spaced from the inner wall 5.3 of such brush back by means of cupped stamping 54 and the recurved ends 55 of inserts 56 which also serve an additional function as explained below. Such inserts, one of which is fitted in cach end of the brush back, are provided with two oppositely directed tongues S7 and 53. As best shown in Fig. 7 each side of the brush back is indented or diinpled at S9 adjacent. the ends thereof to form inwardly directed protuberances such as 60. The pinched-olf ends 6l of the brush strips 3 and e coincide with such projection 69 instead of extending to the end of the channelform brush back 2. A tuft of brush material 62 is doubled around tongue SS of clip S6 and embraced by upturned end 63 thereof. A wire or similar retaining member (not shown) may temporarily be fixed around such luft to facilitate handling until the latter has been secured in the brush back. The clip is then forced into the end of brush back 2. with protuberances 60 riding in grooves 6d in the -sides of the clip. The slanting end of the brush back tends to force the clip against such protuberances so that when the clip is entirely inserted it Will snap under the protuberances with grooves 64 offset therefrom (see Fig. 7). The clip and tuft are thus securely locked in place and will be even more firmly retained when the brush strips 3 and 4 are next pressed in and locked in place by protuberances 8. Tongue 57 of the clip is straight until after insertion of the brush strips, whereupon it is bent 90 to secure the channelform spacer element 34. The resultant brush has the desired degree of end slant without any sacrifice of brush material density at the ends.

Ball 65 is secured to the brush back, knurled stud 66 passing through brush back 2, stamping 54 and block 67 and peened. Axial passageway 68 does not, however, pass entirely through the ball but at the center of the latter communicates with a small lateral passageway 69 leading to the outer surface of the ball. The two opposed clamping members 7@ and 71 are adapted to be drawn together by means of nut 72 and bolt 73 thereby clamping the same both to the ball and also to the end of the elongated tubular member 74 which in this case serves as the handle.

Lips 75 and 75A of the clamping members prevent swing of the brush head in their directions but such head may, of course, be swung through a very wide arc in a plane perpendicular to that of Fig. 2. A stop in the form of a lateral flange 76 is provided to limit such movement in one direction whereby the brush head will be held in proper position to be employed as a push brush. The inner faces of the sleeve portions 77 of stampings 70 and 7l are knurled to ensure a hrm grip on the end of handle member 74.

A plug or biscuit 7S, preferably of a plastic such as neoprene, is tted tightly into the end of handle 74 and is clamped between stampings 70 and 71, bolt 73 passing therethrough. Two pairs of passages 79 and 80 lead from handle 74 to corresponding cross passages 81 and 82. Complementary channels in the inner surfaces of stampings 70 and 71 and in the outer surfaces of biscuit 78 form passages 83, 84, 85 and S6 leading to a common discharge at 87. The end of plug 78 is formed to receive ball 65 in sealing engagement thereagainst, except for a cross-channel 88 and grooves 89 formed in members 70 and 71 placing the central cup-shaped portions 90 of such members in communication therewith. Ridges 91 sur- Y rounding -such cupped portions are ground to seat the ball tightly thereagainst.

The passage of fluid to the brush may now readily be traced. The extremity (not shown) of handle 74 will be connected, as by hose, to a source of uid supply and such fluid will pass therethrough, under pressure, to the pairs of passages 79 and 80 in plug 78 (see Fig. 2). It then follows cross passages 81 and 82 to channels 83, 84, 85 and S6 which conduct it to cross-channel 88 in the end of the plug adjacent ball 65. Grooves 89 in clamping members 7) and '71. now admit the fluid to the cup-shaped cavities 9i?, one of which is in communication with lateral passageway 69 in such ball. Axial passage 68 then leads the fluid into the cavity in the brush back 2 between brush strip 3 and 4 and the inner wall 53 of such brush back. The numerous small interstices naturally occurring between such strips and between the sides of such strips and brush back 2 amply provide for feeding the fluid to the brush material 5.

Obviously, the brush head may be swiveled to any degree without affecting the communication of passageway 69 with cavity 90. When the length of the brush head is turned at the proper angle passageway 69 will not be in communication with the lluid supply when the axis of stud 66 is aligned with the handle. Since the brushing tool would ordinarily be employed similarly to a broom when the head is in this position fountain action will not normally be desired. When the brush head is then inclined about 45 or less to the handle, however, passageway 69 will now open into cross-channel 88 which is widened centrally, permitting resumed flow of fluid therethrough. The brush thus adjusted is suitable for scrubbing walls, windows, or the like.

In addition to plain water, various soap or detergent solutions may be employed and a cartridge of the material to be dissolved or entrained may be inserted in the handle. Under some circumstances it may be desired to supply compressed air rather than a liquid to the brush and under other circumstances suction may be applied. Various insecticides and disinfectants may likewise be employed in a suitable liquid vehicle or entrained in an air stream.

While a wide variety of brush materials can be used, including wire, horse-hair, tampico libre, and synthetic stranded materials such as nylon, the latter is commonly preferred for most uses as providing the desired Snap action and resisting the action of most solvents.

It will be seen from the foregoing that I have provided a novel brushing tool in which the form of brush head and the mounting means therefor cooperate to afford a variety of types of brushing action not previously available in a single brush. By employing a long and narrow brush head from which the brush material extends in a relatively dense layer and adjustably attaching the same to an elongated handle member I provide a tool having the characteristics required both of a push brush and a sweeping broom. By employing self-supporting lengths of brush strip of the type disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,303,386 as the brush elements in such brush head, I not only obtain a brush in which the brush material is more securely held than in the ordinary tufted sweep but also a brush of uniform quality capable of rapid manufacture at a reasonable cost. The described fountain arrangement in combination with such novel brush head provides a type of brushing tool never before available and entirely different from the common scrub brush.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, it has been found desirable, although not absolutely necessary, to form additional indentations or dimples 92 inwardly of the sides of brush-back 2 after clips 56 have been forced in place. These serve to lock such clips against any possibility of loosening or escape.

A wick 93 may be inserted in the space between the brush strip and the inner wall 53 of the brush back for the purpose of slowly feeding a liquid such as water or oil to the brush material. The brush material may thus be kept moistened when the brush is being used on dusty floors, for example.

Figs. to 12 show a form of clamping means functioning in the same general manner as that illustrated in Figs. l to 4. Since such two clamping members 94 may be mirror images of each other only one is illustrated in detail. They may be metal stampings, castings, or forgings and are adapted to be bolted together as previously explained.

Tubular handle '74 is closed by a simple plug 95 and enclosed in a sleeve-like gasket 96 of rubber or similar composition. A pair of openings 97 in such handle with corresponding openings 98 in such gasket communicate with openings 99 in the respective clamping members. A small metal tube 100 is brazed to each such member and leads from opening 99 to an opening 101 in the respective cup-shaped cavity 90. Abutments 102 serve the purpose of a stop in the same manner as flanges 76. It will thus be seen that an externally disposed fluid conducting means has been provided as compared to the means illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4. The same form of ball 65 will be employed as shown in such latter gures. Neck or stud 66 on such ball extends far enough into the brush back (see Fig. 1) so that even if the brush be hung head up very little liquid will drain back through the ball.

Since the frctional swivel handle attaching means is secured to the top of the brush back substantially centrally intermediate its ends the resultant brushing tool may be adjusted to serve either as a sweeping broom or as a push brush. In the latter position (in the case of the form last described) it will also be a fountain brush. If desired, iluid may be conducted to only one side of the clamping socket so that by rotating the brush head end for end passage 69 in ball 65 is placed out of communication with the uid supply. Obviously, while such rotative movement is unlimited in degree it can take place only about an axis (the axis of stud 66) which lies in a single plane passing through the elongated handle member. The two clamping members prevent pivoting of such axis in any other plane. Since such members frictionally clamp ball 65, the brush head remains in selected position in use unless intentionally turned to another position.

Brushing tools in accordance with my invention, while very useful in the home, are of particular value where large-Scale cleaning problems are encountered, as in railway stations, hotels, oice buildings, and factories. In such places they will result in a lowering of cleaning costs due to the ease with which they can be handled and the efficiency of their operation. Obviously, a tool such as that shown in Fig. 1, for example, may be handled more rapidly and effectively among the machines on the floor of a machine shop than the conventional bulky brush head having a handle fitted in a socket therein.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 10,419, filed February 24, 1948, now Patent No. 2,680,868, dated June 15, 1954. Certain subject-matter disclosed but not claimed herein is disclosed and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 436,500, filed June 14, 1954.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed.

1 therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A brushing tool comprising an elongated, substantially straight and narrow cup-shaped receptacle back, and two lengths of brush strip secured in side-by-side relationship within said back but spaced from the bottom thereof, each said strip having a relatively hat layer of brush material extending in side-by-side relationship therefrom, and a uid entry port communicating with such space between the bottom of said receptacle back and said brush strip.

2. A brushing tool comprising an elongated, substantially straight and narrow cup-shaped receptacle back, two lengths of brush strip including elongated base portions and generally flat layers of brush material extending therefrom, such base portions of said two lengths of brush strip being secured in close sde-by-side relationship within said back but spaced from the bottom thereof and such flat layers of brush material also extending in sideby-side relationship therefrom, interstices forming small channels leading from such space be Ween the bottom of said receptacle and such base portions of said brush strip to such layers of brush material, a iluid entry port communicating with such space, and a handle attaching protuberance secured to and extending from said back.

3. A brushing tool comprising an elongated, substantially straight and narrow cup-shaped receptacle back, two lengths of brush strip including elongated base portions and generally at layers of brush material extending therefrom, such base portions of said two lengths of brush strip being secured in close side-by-side relationship within said back but spaced from the bottom thereof and such flat layers of brush material also extending in side-by-side relationship therefrom, interstices forming small channels leading from such space between the bottorn of said receptacle and such base portions of said brush strip to such layers of brush material, and a handle attaching protuberance secured to and extending from said back, said protuberance having a iluid entry passage extending therethrough and communicating with such space within said back.

4. A brushing tool comprising an elongated substantially straight and narrow cup-shaped receptacle back and brush strip secured within said back but spaced from the bottom thereof, said strip having a long narrow selfsupporting sheet metal channel back and a relatively at layer of brush material extending therefrom, and a uid entry port communicating with such space between the bottom of said receptacle back and said brush strip back.

5. A brushing tool comprising an elongated substantially straight and narrow cup-shaped receptacle back and brush strip secured within said back but spaced from the bottom thereof, said strip having a long narrow selfsupporting sheet metal channel back and a relatively flat layer of brush material extending therefrom, a tluid entry port communicating with such space between the bottom of said receptacle backV and said brush strip back, and wick means within such space adapted slowly to feed liquid to said brush material.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 746,217 Weins Dec. 8, 1903 1,130,442 Speese Mar. 2, 1915 1,139,716 Pendergast May 18, 1915 1,313,185 Hayden Aug. 12, 1919 1,335,116 Johanson Mar. 30, 1920 1,413,700 Allen Apr. 25, 1922 1,460,850 Hokanson July 3, 1923 1,470,014 Kootz Oct. 9, 1923 1,604,343 Grenwood Oct. 26, 1926 1,718,117 Dainos June 18, 1929 

